davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28

Ia parts of Germany, when at evening
the clouds rise and bear some resemblance
to a great tree-that is, where there is,
as it were, q pillar of vapor between the
horizon and the overarching canopy of
cloud, the peasants call it "Abraham
tree" or "Adam's tree" 4 mackcrcl
sky provokes the saying: "We shall
have wind, Adams tree is putting forth
leaves" If the leaves appear in the
afternoon it is sign of fine weather; If
early in the morning, of storm. The
serpent who gnaws the roofs Of the
Yggdrasill seeks the destruction OF the
universe. When the roots are eaten
through, the tree will fall over, the end
of all things has come. The representa-
ton so common of the serpent at the
foot of the cross was of course of Chris
tian signifcat.on, but it came into Chris
tian iconography, quite as much from
the early identification of the cross with
the world tree of heathcn mythology.
The old English May-pole is the same
tree, bursting into beauty and toilage IN
the spring. As our Anglo-Saxon fore
fathers regarded, with the Norsemen'
the ash as the world tree, and the ASH Is
deciduous, they kept the festival OF its
restoration to Vitality. The Germans
took the evergreen silver fir rs the symbol
of the ever living tree of the worlds life.
Yet they also keep some festival analo-
gous to our May day. On aim Sunday.
in Catholic parts Of German: we have
seen it in the Black forest--pcoplc carry
poles wrcathcd with flowers, and Hutter-
with colored ribands, to church to have
them blessed, and then set them up
against the gables of their houses, a sure
protection against lightning and fire.
CormhW Maga:ine.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28
UNDER THE MISTLETOE.

Margaret Warner stood before the
mirror, frown upon her usually calm,
unrufflcd brow. Yes, there was no deny
ing it, no shrinking away from the fact;
there lay the first real footprint of time,
cleaning white, amid the tresses of
brown hair.
She felt something clutching ut her
heart, great lump rising in her throat,
and moment more the tears she strove
to repress filled her eyes. Margaret was
an old maid. Nine and thirty, yes,
forty on her coming birthday, and it was
not far off. She was not q foolish
woman and her tears fell, not because
age was creeping on and the dark braids
would whiten soon, but at sight of the
silver streak something within whis
pered: "Margaret, youth is past; the
JOY, the sorrow, all are gone" Bitter
sweet memories crowded upon her, and
she bowed her head within her hands
and sobbed.
After = moment she summoned courage
and plucked the offending thread of sill
yer from among its fellows. She Ia d it
upon the white marble of the dresser,
then across the sleeve of her dark
dress.
White. snowy white.
She looked again in the mirror, scan-
ming her face closely. She was fair and
comely still. Her complexion might
have been that of babe, it was so deli
cately smooth, and her eyes were as blue
and bright as ever. Yet, though she
found no sign of decay. the woman
sighed. Then she drew from her bosom
u locket suspended BY atiny gold chain.
Touching spring it opened and she
gazcd wistfully upon two faces pictured
there. One was q girlish face, winsome
and fair-Margaret in her youth; the
other a youth. handsome and not over
twenty. She pressed it to her lips, to
her heart, and allowed her tears to fall
uocheckcd upon it.
What! Margaret, an old maid and in
love still!
"Rosie must not see me in tears" she
murmured.
There was the sound AN opening
door. the echo OF footsteps in the hall
and smart pattcr upon the stair.
Eos;c was coming!
Margaret had only time to thrust her
treasure again into its hiding place. when
the door flew open and Il young girl
entered, breathless with excitement.
Her hair had been tossed by the vino
and fell in waves over her shoulders. A
rich red glow was upon her cheek and heI
eyes wee sparkling. She threw herself
upon chair with utter abandon anc
tossed a pair of skates whi,h she hat
been exercising upon for it was frosty
outside) upon the floor. Then, noticing
Margarct's tear stained face, she spran4
toward her and wound her arms closcl,
about her
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28

Young Syphcr called on Miss De
Smith the other evening and he stayed
and stayed out of all season, talking
about (hristmas festivities. II think
you have been a capital hand at one
part of the old English customs, Miss
De Smith finally said, yawning wildly.
mo; do yon though, really" Young
Sypher dclightcdly returned. "M hat
part, now-what part, pray" lug
ging in the hore's head" Miss DE
Smith slccpily exclaimed.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28

The simple FIJI maiden is assured that
her behavior during the year has pleased
Santa Claus when she finds tender
piece of missionary in her little stocking
on Christmas morning.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28

An elephant has been sent by Lord
DuIrcrin to the Shah of Persia as a gift.
1t Is very fine one, gorgeously capar-
isoned and attended by thirty Hindooa.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28

The Washoe Indians held i grand
cc1rcil near Genoa, New, recently and
passed law making theft punishable
by death.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28

The friendship of the artful is mere
self-intcrcSt.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28

Motto for Santa Claus: "Kuow all men
bv these presents"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24
Vicinity Items.

The Santa Fe ball. al Sueator last week,
was a grand success, 10 Gays the Monitor.
The Burlington road has purchased the
IL. & l., and now has, by consolidating 1t
with the l. V. Il N, made fine new route
for itself.
Bernard colleague, of Spring Valley, had
knee crushed and leg broken In the
mines at that place last week
Miss Fannie Rich, Of st. Charles, near
Aurora, who was engaged TO be married to
Wallace McChesney, OF Geneva, broke the
engagement at the eleventh hour, and mar
he'd a widower named Linedecker. Nc
Chesney had purchased household goods,
a piano, etc.
George II. Stafford, of Seneca has rifle
OF i776, which has been handed down from
father TO son, and is an interesting heir
loom.
1t is estimated that 5000 head of cattle
have been slaughtered In Chicago, by the
orders OF the live stock commissioners, to
kill pleuro pneumonia In this state.
The Pontiac artesian well has been
abandoned.
A lodge of the Improved Order OF Red
men has been organized at Pontiac.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

The Illinois State Grange meeting at Spring
field gave the President blow square in the
face when il demanded cheap sugar rather
than cheap tobacco" -Rep,,Jlican.
Come, now, nelghbor, aren't you just tri-
he previous? Jim Blaine isn't President, yet
mot Just now; and Cleveland isn't in Paris
cabling twaddle about the "poor mans free
chaw of tobacco" in order to save the high
tariff outrage, NOT just yet; and it is not
likely you'll see him at it later, either. You
see you're getting these things mixed under
the influence Of those prccocious and utterly
marvellous "typos you run nowadays.
But aren't you particularly severe on the
magnetic statesman, and, generally, on your
entire party, when you say:
A statesman, or an honest politician, would
have recommended the removal OF a tax
which benefits only few manufacturers in a
small section OF the country, rather than, that
on an article in which at least one third of the
agriculturists of the whole country are inter-
estcd.
If you guage the republican party by such
standard, you will have to get U. s.
Marshalls search warrant to find a " states.
man" or "honest politician" in the whole
party, and the odds would be 100 TO l thai
you wouldn't find him with that.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

1t evidently seems the intention of the
County Board to starve Sheriff Morrissey out
OF office. Why? Because Miligan as sheriff
starved the Board out. Yet there doesn't seem
to be any valid reason why the Board should
visit the sins Of his predecessor on the head
Of Morrissey. If it is true that the sheriff is
not allowed enough TO pay the running cx-
penscs of his Office, he should in all justice
aud good sense, be allowed what Il necessary.
Because Doc. Norton has "crank" on this
subject does not offer any valid excuse for the
county of La Sale making Lawrence Morris
ey pay money out of his own pocket or give
his time for nothing, just for the empty honor
of putting the handle SHERIFF to his name.
The county of La Sale ought not to allow a
cranky official like Norton, as chairman Of
fees and salaries committee, to thus make n
niggardly and indecent exhibition of itself.
The laborcr is worthy Of his hire, whether he
be sheriff of La Sale county or man who
digs ditch for the county. II is useless for
the doc" to try any more to palm off his
pious spasms of"economy" as pious ebulitlons
Of any sort OF superior goodness after that
job of the Financial Report" and it would
look a little more like repentance If the Board
would now come back to this jurisdiction and
not try to rob the sheriff of his rights as
sheriG-to fair pay for his services.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

The town of Peru, in this county, has GER
tainly astonished the postoflice department, il
not the country at large, by its singularity
Peru is the one town in the L. &. where nc
one appears to want the postofllcc. True, the
Office doesn't pay much. Though town OF
5000 Inhabitants, probably, its people are moi
great letter writers, and there are few or nc
Literary fcllers" there to boom the local mail
pouches with newspapers and such like
Still, even il tho Office doesn't pay much, it is
certainly a remarkable fact that while lib
Corwin's term has expired, or will in day oil
50, there is not one application for the APP
pointment in his stead even lib" does not
ask for reappointment 1t would be too bad
now, If Peru should have to close up for want
of a postmaster! But isn't this just little
maneuvre OF "Hib's" to pose as one who ha:
greatness thrust upon him. 1t looks so
lib" is quite a cute sort Of fellow when hi
let's himself out; and it looks as though 1t
vss doing 90 Just now.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24
Personal,

PRiCH. Alderman Prichard was taken
suddenly i'll at his home on the south side
on Saturday evening, with Pneumonia, but
is now out of danger.
ILL.--Mrs. A. F. Lindemon is very i'll at
her home on the west side.
HoME.-Miss Lillian Richards. of Mon
mouth, who has been the guest of Miss Mol
lie Hull for couple of weeks, returned
home on Wednesday.
HAY.-Aliss Stella Haywood, who has
been visiting friends at Gilmen, returned
home Wednesday.
LIGHr.-Mr. Fisher, of the Incandescent
Electric Light company of Chicago, was here
this week in the interest Of his company.
Grizzly Attorney Mcdonald, of La
Sale, attended the Masonic installation and
party on Monday evening.
D. S.-Dave shipman, the Marseilles gro
Ger, was in town on Tuesday on q. A. Z.
| business
WAr.-W. I. Elwood, of Mendoza, visited
this city on Monday.
FELL.-E. E, Fell, Of the quiet village Of
Homer, was here on Monday.
HRRE.-Walter Reeves and II. N. Ryan.
were here on their usual weekly trip on
Monday
MAYon.-Mayor F. W. Matthie.sen, of the
Polish city, was in town on Tuesday.
BAncE.-W Barge, one of the live men Of
Dixon, appeared on our streats on Monday.
LovB.-walter Lovejoy, of Strestor, was
in town with his parents over Sunday.
MAcK.--Phil Mackey, Of La Sale, was
sxpounding the new water works OF our
western suburb on Monday. Nate Elwel
was here too, but he didn't talk water works
No. not once.
Dn.--A. C. Eaton, OF Dixon, spent Tues
day in this city.
Nxv.-Lewis Gewgass, Of Chicago, was
here on Sunday. Seems to be an attraction
here.
JUGS Judge Eldredge was on the slow
walking list this week. He had been
'shooiug" COW, and while running after
the animal, slipped and sprsined knee.
FBED-"Our Fred" Jones, Of the Great
Rock Island Route, saved the life of q
drunken swell nam ell Peter Michaels, by
pulling him from under moving train at
La Sale last Friday.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24
OBITUARY.
Hon. George II. Norris.

Hon. George II. Norris, we'll known among
old settlers here, died a, his home on his OF,
ange plantation in Florida, on Friday last Of
Brights disease.
Mr.. Norris came to this city ir the thir-
ties. and with VIM. Hickling. Geo. E. Walker
and the men of those days was prominent in
political and business circles Of this section
of country for years. lie began his career
here in the early days. in the real estate
business and met with signal success. He
was engaged also for time in the banking
business with George Fisher, the firm being
Norris & Fisher. At the time of the Pixies
Peak excitement, he went west, but soon az
ter returned to this city. He was Mayor Of
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

this city in 1866, only two years after the
incorporation, and left praisworthy record.
In later years, he removed to Florida where
he planted an orange grove of immense pro
portions, and in few years had become
quite wealthy.
He was man Of high moral principles,
and Of sterling business integrity. Such was
his reputation among business men of this
and adjoining counties, that his word was
praised as highly as his bond. He was bur.
ried in Florida.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24
JUDGE ALGHRNoN l.. GRIGGs.

Algernon Sidney Griggs, an older brother
Of L. Y Griggs. of this city. died suddenly
at his home in Washington city on Saturday
last. He had been prominent man in In
diana politics, having been in the state sen
ate six or eight years, aad for many years
occupying the position of Probate Judge.
He was very successful lawyer, and spent
the latter portion of his life in Washington,
D. c., in one .of the departments. Many of
our older residents will remeber Mr., Griggs,
who visited his brother here, some years
ago. He was man of splendid physical
presence, of fine mental attainments. and of
kindly and generous nature. By his death
Mr.. Z Y. Griggs is left the only surviving
member of the family.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

ness az founder decreased rapidly, until II
finally disappeared entirely on his appoint
meut as public printer. He had lately
Joined the Taylors, late of Wenona, In a
daily newspaper venture at Omaha
The jury hearing the trial OF st. John
charged with conspiracy 10 aid McGarigle
10 escape returned verdict OF not guilty
on Thursday.
The blizzard in the west, Of which I'LL
nois had somewhat of an experience on
Wednesday aud Thursday, was specially
severe In Western Kansas, where II was
the severest the State has ever experienced
Near Ashland, Clark Co, where the people
had run out of coal and had no fuel hut
buffalo chips, some sixty persons were
frozen to death and many suffered terribly
20 less extent in frozen limbs, &c.
On Thursday the senate took up for dis
cussioa the joint resolution proposing n
constitutional amendment on the subject OF
marriage and divorce and prohibiting big
amy and pologamy The proposed amend
ment Is in the following words congress
shall maze power TO legislate on the sub.
ject of marriage and divorce by general
laws applicable alike 10 all states and ter
ritories, and neither bigamy nor polygamy
shall exist or be permitted within the
United States or any place subject 10 their
jurisdiction" Unless such an amendment
be passed 1t is unlikely the efforts of Utah
to be admitted to the Union will ever be
seriously considered by the public at
large: for no one who is even slightly in
formed on the history of the Mormons
would give the slightest weight 10 any
goody goody prOtestations they might
make on this subject before admission to
the Union; for with 10000 Mormons out
of a population of 100000 a State law
sanctioning poiygamy would be matter of
very short order if Statehood could be OBJ
tHiupd
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

"Who has been fooling around that wine
CELLAR inquired Judge Cations chef.
Like TO know who stole my Shoes"
murmurcd Hon. T. d. Catin.
"iI only got .0j," remarked jim Baker.
These remarks we're made by three angry
men on Monday morning, and a little inyes-
tigatin by FREE TRADER reporter developed
the fact that a burgler, and a very excellent
workman at his craft, had been making late
calls on Messrs Cation, Catlin and Baker.
He had evidently commenced operations
at about half past one o'clock at Mr.. Catlin's;
entering through the laundry. He went
through portion of the house, abstracting
Mr.. Catlin's Sunday go-to-meetin' shoes,
and then adjourned to Judge Caton's wine
cellar, entering through the laundry at that
place also.
After sampling different varieties of wine,
and drinking quantity Of cider, he de
parted with two bottles of burgundy, leaving
the cider faucet open.
l16 auNduCeu " jun DhhtT uOuod at
about $3.50, and gained entrance through
tas bay window ON the east of the house.
Mr.. Bakers coat and overcoat and an over.
coat belonging to Mr.. DAILY, Mr. Bakers
partner, who boards with him, were in the
sitting room, and the visitor went through
them, but disturbed nothing. He ransacked
the pantry, clothes presses and everything
which might contain money, but found none.
He then opened the kitchen door, the dining
room door. and all the doors connecting
rooms towards the stairs, and went up on
the second floor. Entering Mr.. Bakers
room. he distracted his pants and vest, and
began to search them, when Mrs. Baker
awakening saw his shadow upon the wall of
the room, and awakened Jim, who immedi-
ately proceeded to investigate. As soon as
he moved he heard footsteps going down the
stairs, and quickening his pace, he saw the
BURGERS back as he stepped out of the lack
door. He was large, well built man, and
no doubt professional.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

Some of the boys who had pined for real
ten by fourteen dance, with patent leather
shoes and big expanse of shirt front laid
the lines for one of that variety which took
place on last Tuesday evening. There was
Arthur Hook, Nate Degen, George Trimble
and several others-a party, who once de-
termined on good time and lots Of it, nei.
Their wind, rain nor storm can stop,-no,
never. There were about DO couple assem-
bled in Willis hall, composing the youth,
fashion and beauty of the city. You
may wonder how the youth, fashion and
beauty of the city were induced to attend on
such wild, clustering night; but it is easily
answered; most of the beauty came in hacks
and fashion and the youth came with them
The list of home participants is too lang tc
give in full, but those present from abroad
were, Misses Reichard, Miss Uulrs friend
Miss Weller, of La Sale; Miss Clara Parr, OF
Marseilles, W. H. Highly, Of Utica, and
Messrs. Meyers, Adamick and Larkin Of
La Sale. Supper was served at the Clifton
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

The elegant residence Of George V. Hull
was the scene of one Of the pleasantest little
family reunions on Thursday afternoon and
evening that it has been our pleasure to
chronicle for some time. II was the occa
sion of the Goth birthday Of Mrs. Subrina
Hull, Mr.. Hull's mother, and four genera
tons, grandma, son, grand daughter and
great great granddaughter. Mrs. Hull is
very we'll preserved for her age, and is just
as full of enjoyment as ever. Those present
were W II Hull, wife and family; G V Hull
wife and family; Stearns, wife and fam.
lily. of N. "; A Cation, wife and family;
and Judge and Mrs. Blanchard.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

boat, The county of La Sale buys Its coal
At less than SECS while private consumers
are obliged to pay $500, The mines have
lately raised % cents ton, with the ex-
cuse that they didn't make any money last
year, and intend to have some profit this
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

During the session of the Board last week
the States Attorney proposed to +. c. Lewis
that the criminal charges as well as the civil
cases In the Milligan matter be referred to a
commission to be composed of Judge Dibell,
Lewis and Fischer as arbitrators, whose find.
ngs would be agreed to be final. Lewis would
not act; but the attorneys OF Milligan offered
select two fair men who had not been identi.
fed with the case, and they to select a third {;
or, TO furnish the prosecution with six names
Of members Of the present Board, from whom
the state could select three as arbitrators.
Both propositions were refused The attor.
ncys for Mligan also stated that in case
neither OF their proposals were accepted, they
would give notice "that we now stand ready
for trial ;" and that If the State objects TO either
BIauchrrd or Stpp as judge, they will consent
that Judge Dibeil hear the case. The next
term Of court begins in January next. II there
is anything in this case, a trial should be had
at that time. We are in no danger Of dying
from love for Bill Milligan, but as one of Il
tax paying public we do object to this never
ending feeding of a useless Investigating
committee" at the rate OF from $50 10 500 a
month, "to collect evidence and then be told
at each succeeding term of court that the
State is not ready for trial, The matter is get
tin. to be q scandal. \ criminal case that is
so desperate that the work of several Eek
perts" are unable to get it ready for trial in u
years time after the Indictments arc found,
had better be abandoned as no good
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-24

A Chicago paper by carefully collected
figures, shows that the actual cost Of ton
Of anthracite coal In the yards at Chicago
Is but Sc 90 in the summer, and S215 In
winter, yet by abolition OF free market
the coal monopolists manage to extort over
300 per cent profit of the public.-Er.
Bituminous coal is in nearly the same